Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers salary by state
Base salary plus target annual bonus. Target bonus opportunity scales with role level, so a higher base carries a higher target percentage.
Base salary
$71,000
National baseline
Target bonus
$7,500
10.6% of base
Total target cash
$78,500
Base plus target bonus
Bonus percentiles:25th$4,50050th$7,50075th$12,500
Long-term incentive is not shown for this role. Equity awards are only disclosed publicly for the named executive officers of public companies, so no market figure exists for most jobs. See executive pay disclosures.
About this role
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers is a professional role within the function in the Installation, Maintenance, and Repair job family.
Typical entry preparation: High School Diploma and up to 1 year of related work experience, per O*NET occupational data. Advancement typically requires additional years in role.
What Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installerss do
Typical education: High School Diploma
Demonstrate equipment to customers and explain its use, responding to any inquiries or complaints.
Test circuits and components of malfunctioning telecommunications equipment to isolate sources of malfunctions, using test meters, circuit diagrams, polarity probes, and other hand tools.
Test repaired, newly installed, or updated equipment to ensure that it functions properly and conforms to specifications, using test equipment and observation.
Climb poles and ladders, use truck-mounted booms, and enter areas such as manholes and cable vaults to install, maintain, or inspect equipment.
Assemble and install communication equipment such as data and telephone communication lines, wiring, switching equipment, wiring frames, power apparatus, computer systems, and networks.
Top skills:TroubleshootingRepairingQuality Control AnalysisOperations MonitoringCritical ThinkingEquipment Maintenance
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers pay by experience level
Entry level$46,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$53,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$66,000
Mid-career median pay
Senior$84,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$100,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
-4.2%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
13,200
projected openings per year
Declining
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers salary by industry
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
Typical duties and FLSA status
Core duties
Demonstrate equipment to customers and explain its use, responding to any inquiries or complaints.
Test circuits and components of malfunctioning telecommunications equipment to isolate sources of malfunctions, using test meters, circuit diagrams, polarity probes, and other hand tools.
Test repaired, newly installed, or updated equipment to ensure that it functions properly and conforms to specifications, using test equipment and observation.
Climb poles and ladders, use truck-mounted booms, and enter areas such as manholes and cable vaults to install, maintain, or inspect equipment.
Assemble and install communication equipment such as data and telephone communication lines, wiring, switching equipment, wiring frames, power apparatus, computer systems, and networks.
FLSA classification (typical)
Typically Non-exempt · Service, trades, or production work
Occupations in this SOC group are typically classified as Non-exempt and eligible for overtime pay under FLSA rules. Actual classification depends on the specific job duties, salary basis, and any applicable state or local rules. The current federal salary threshold for exemption is $684 per week ($35,568 per year), per the 2020 Department of Labor rule; the 2024 rule that would have raised the threshold was struck down by federal court in November 2024.
How this role compares
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers pays 7% above the average across 52 roles in the Installation, Maintenance, and Repair job family (family average $66,500).
Similar-paying roles in Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers make?
The average base salary for a Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers in the United States is $71,000 per year, or about $34.13 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $53,500 and $84,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Installation, Maintenance, and Repair roles?
The Installation, Maintenance, and Repair job family averages $66,500 across 52 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role? WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
Need Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers pay benchmarked for your organization, or defensible compensation analysis for a dispute or valuation? Grahall builds it from primary sources, backed by an expert who testifies.
